DIGITAL PERFORMER, "The Blues"


In this activity, students will create a 12-bar blues for Piano, Bass, and Drums and one other track. Then, students will respond to a checklist of questions about the file from the instructor to demonstrate the student's knowledge of the program.

Your Blues Production MUST have:
  • At least 1 MIDI Track assigned to an instrument sound on the Korg X5D
  • At least 1 MIDI Track assigned to a SOFTWARE instrument (remember, a software instrument track must be added, in addition to the MIDI track that plays it)
  • At least 1 Audio Track employing a DRUM LOOP (use Apple Loops)
Your Production also MUST have:
  • A KEYBOARD track
  • A BASS TRACK
  • A DRUM TRACK
The "typical" BLUES PROGRESSION in the key of C is:
C7-C7-C7-C7
F7-F7-C7-C7
G7-F7-C7-C7
You are welcome to use any variations of this progression, including:
  • Using triads rather than 7th chords (i.e. C-F-G)
  • Adding a "turn-around" G7 chord in measure 12
  • Adding these "jazzy" substitutions: A7 in m. 8, Dmin7 in m. 9, and G7 in m. 10
  • Any other variations you choose